As artists were unable to perform live, the COVID-19 pandemic saw a rise in more intimate, “bedroom pop” music. Artists shifted towards producing music that was more personal to them, often writing about themes of isolation, introspection and escapism in their songs. Within the first minute of listening to the first track on alternative indie band WILLIS’ latest extended play (EP) “Locals 5,” I was immediately transported back to a time period where music was often a source of comfort for both artists and listeners alike.
Debuting in 2016, WILLIS is made up of five childhood friends based in Nashville who quickly found success with the release of their song “I Think I Like When It Rains” on their “Locals 2” EP in 2017. Since then, they have released three more EPs as part of their ongoing “Locals Only” series, which, as the name suggests, is music made for “locals.” The band has stated that they’ve created a sound that feels like “the old neighborhood you grew up in” and that “everyone is a local” in the way that we all hold our community within ourselves.
To me, the heart of their latest project is the incredibly vivid lyrics. Several tracks in this EP have lyrics detailing themes of lingering feelings and desire. The opening track “Break Ur Heart Again” starts with the lyrics “I still think of time / We got lost in through the night / But I’ve changed too much to stay the same.” As the protagonist reflects upon memories that have long since passed, he still looks back at that time fondly regardless of how much had changed. The fourth track “Real Vacation” explores how feelings of despair persist as the protagonist goes through a repetitious life. This idea is emphasized in the song’s outro, with the line “‘Til it’s over” being repeated as the drums in the background crescendo, adding to the feeling of desperation from being stuck in a loop. The simplistic lyrics of the EP allows for authentic storytelling within the songs, enabling listeners to better connect with its messages and, at the same time, highlights the complex emotions that come with missing the past and moving forward.
Accompanying these descriptive lyrics are the EP’s production, which I found to be reminiscent of surf rock, a subgenre of rock meant to emulate the sounds of the beach. The EP maintains this subgenre through its upbeat instrumentation, which gives it a bright and summer-y feel. For example, the third track “If You’re Still Here” features higher-pitched instrumentals and vocals, giving the song a sunshine-like sound quality in the way that it creates a vibrant and cheerful atmosphere.
Throughout the EP, elements of indie rock are also sprinkled in, with heavy electric guitar, bass and drums being sparingly utilized and saved for important moments. The outro of the closing track “Nevermind” noticeably crescendos in volume and the tone of the electric guitar gradually gets clearer. The track predominantly has a softer instrumental, however, the sharp outro allows for a moment in the song where it has a more traditional indie rock feel.
While listening, I was strongly reminded of the indie rock band Vacations, who, similar to WILLIS, gained virality during the pandemic for their cozy, dreamy music. Most notably, the song “Telephones” by Vacations sounds like it could fit right into the EP. The song’s instrumental uses a warm electric guitar sound and organ-like synth, giving it a euphoric and romantic feel, which can be heard in tracks like “Twist of Fate” and “Inertia.” “Telephones” is also lyrically similar to songs on “Locals 5” with its themes of yearning for something that’s not possible. Both WILLIS and Vacations use soft vocals and mellowed out instrumentals and delve deep into the struggles of life through their songwriting, infusing their music with a sense of nostalgia, melancholy and comfort.
Despite its many merits, the EP still has its grievances. There is an extremely consistent sound throughout, which, while it does keep the record cohesive, makes the tracks almost breach the territory of sounding too similar to each other. The songs “Twist of Fate” and “Nevermind” have the same vocal cadences and very little variation in the tone of their instrumentals. While these tracks, as well as others on the EP, have standout moments that help in differentiating them from each other, the majority of the songs blended into each other the more time I spent listening, though it is understandable for a project so short.
With their “Locals Only” series, WILLIS set out to connect their listeners by creating “local” communities all over the world through their music. WILLIS has been able to present this sense of locality in their songs through their nostalgic beats and reminiscent lyrics. “Locals 5,” even with its flaws, is no exception to this as they were able to explore how their past experiences and emotional journeys shaped their world. The EP’s melodic vocals, emotional lyricism and dreamy rock instrumentation created an overall laid back and relatable experience. This was my first project from WILLIS that I have listened to and I’m now looking forward to exploring the rest of their discography. For anyone like me who found enjoyment in the groovy yet sentimental music produced during the pandemic, I would recommend giving this EP a listen.
